Philadelphia 76ers guard Royal Ivey paid a special visit on March 12 to Imhotep High School. Imhotep played at VILLA’s 2nd Annual Holiday Classic and the boys also won the public league title this year. VILLA, along with Anthony Gilbert helped to bring Ivey to the school where he was able to tell the students his story and how he became a 76er. Also, Royal Ivey was able to do drills with the boys and girls basketball teams.

By: Adrian Gonzalez

On March 16th Join the Movement will go live at www.ruvilla.com/jtm.

What is Join The Movement?

Join The Movement (JTM) is VILLA’s campaign to revitalize urban communities by supporting economic investment, educational opportunities and exposure to multi-cultural experiences, heroes, and other inspirational figures.

Stay tuned to find out how you and your community can Join the Movement!

Here’s is a few pictures of Mayor Nutter at the Villa’s Chelton store in Philadelphia this past January.

The Edgewood Grand Opening was a big hit in the eastern Pittsburgh area. We decided to celebrate the new store opening with a Steelers tailgate party. It turned out to be the perfect way to kick off Super Bowl weekend since the Steelers were playing in it the next day. We had a great crowd, and the people definitely were out in full force representing their team. We met with local community members, gave away Timberlands, $50 gift cards, and of course the Steelers tailgate party. More than 150 people stood in line on Saturday morning for the gift card giveaway. Thanks to the Edgewood team for hosting a great show, and the rest of the team that was there.

Drop off a coat at any Villa location and receive $50 in Villa savings passes.

VILLA Teen Centers will serve as an extension of the community hub that exists within our stores. VILLA and its partner Nike are committed to the creation of a safe, exciting place for teenagers to learn and play. VILLA has chosen another strong partner in the Philadelphia Recreation Department to host the first VILLA Teen Center at the Martin Luther King recreation center. In 2009, VILLA will open VILLA Teen Centers at Francis J. Myers and Feltonville recreation centers.

This past Saturday college football fans ran to the stadium to witness the battle of the weekend between the Temple Owls and W. Michigan Wolverines. Unfortunately Temple didn’t poll through this time, with a score of 3 to 7. This was a sad day for Temple fans, but the Villa reached out to the college students at the football stadium with V.I.P. sign ups. For thoughs that do not know, V.I.P. sign up is a way that we at the Villa can keep the community aware on what’s going on at the Villa, from community events to special sales. The game brought on a big crowd with so many questions. So with that said, look out for the Villa tent at the next Temple game.

On Monday, September 1st the Villa team was in West Philly to support the annual Neighborhood 2 Neighborhood Festival at 50th and Baltimore Avenue. The Villa Children’s Village was host to a balloon sculpting extraordinaire and hula hoop artists. Businesses and neighborhood community groups came out to celebrate strong community partnerships in West Philly.The Villa section was packed with community members waiting to hear from music icon Chaka Khan!

It was a great day to play football. Bishop McDevitt came to play football on Saturday. The stands were packed with family and friends on this bright and sunny day. But it was an upsetting day for the Cougars. The score was not in their favor on this day. The score was 8-42 Bishop McDevitt way. This was a family fun day at the field. Their were many different vendors at the stadium selling and giving-a-way their product. Thanks to Antuanette for helping out that day

Rain or shine the game must go on. William Penn play Reading High this past week in York Pa. With the rain coming down very hard the fans still came out to support their team. This was the first game of the season for William Penn High. Even in the rain the teams seem to have a lot of fun out there, playing the game of football.
Thanks to Iesha from the York store for helping out in the rain……..she’s a trooper.
Next game is Friday Sept. 5, 2008 against McCaskey High School, so get ready Rikki and good luck.

On Wednesday, August 27th, Temple University welcomed back students with a huge party on Liacouras Walk. After checking into dorms, students had a chance to meet and greet and see what organizations Temple had to offer. Fraternities and sororities hosted show to welcome the students and Temple’s student run radio station, W.H.I.P made it a party in the middle of the afternoon. The event also offered different shopping opportunities from various vendors. Once again The Villa was out in full force to welcome Temple students.

This Friday’s “Love Where You Live” Clean Up at D & Ontario was a big success. This was truly a boon to see the community come together with so much positive aspiration focusing on the up keep of their neighborhood. The children bought out the best in everyone with their positive attitudes and motivation to keep up their neighborhood. We had a special appearance from Diego ( Dora the Explorer cousin) who made the children go crazy. Fun, the word that sums up what this clean up created in the neighborhood.

Duffy’s Hope 6th annual celebrity softball game was a real family fun treat this weekend. Wilmington Delaware’s Frawley Stadium was the back drop for the excitement. This was an event for all ages. Before game time the kids were treated to a concert from the group B-5. The softball game was filled with celebrities like: Hill Harper, Clifton Powell, B-5, Wesley Jonathan, Vincent Ward, Tequan Richmond and Meagan Good. The Sneaker Villa VIP table was a big hit. The street team gave away lanyards, wrist bands, hand bands and tee-shirts. They also got a chance to sign up a couple of hundred of people to the VIP list. In all this was a great day.

The And1 ball players were at Market Street & Reading, signing and communicating with Sneaker villa’s customers. The kids where excited to meet and greet their favorite And1 ball player. I have to say, that these athlete are the most down to earth ballers that I’ve met. I mean with their humble attitudes and eagerness to bond with their fans, was a good look. Check out the picture above to see how thing went down at this event.

What a way to start the morning, helping out with the ” Love Where You Live” clean up in our community. This morning brought out the best in everyone. I thought this site was going to be a hard site to accomplish, but when we staring working time just flew. We didn’t even want to stop. Check out the pictures above to see how much fun we had. Also, stay posted on more cleans up coming to a neighborhood near you.

Exciting! Fun! Gaiety! These are the words that describe the “Love Where You Live Clean Up” on 50th in Chester Ave this pass Friday. This was truly a boon to see the community come together with so much positive aspiration focusing on the up keep of their neighborhood. This was a tough site to work on, but where there is a will, there is a way. I really enjoyed seeing the community work together with so much joy. Check out the pictures above to see how much fun we had. Also, stay posted on more cleans up coming to a neighborhood near you.

This Saturday’s “Love Where You Live” Clean Up at Cobbs Creek was a big success. The Community really showed their hearts for the neighborhood, by participating in this event. The kids helped in the biggest way, with their brooms, paint brushes and smiles that really made this a fun environment. Everyone at this site worked as one with one objective in mind “Love Where You Live”. This event also brought out special appearances with Charlie Mack, Peedie Peedie, DMC, and others that supported the cause. Love Where You Live isn’t just a slogan, but a movement that’s sweeping our neighborhoods.

Sunday was a great day for the San Juan Bautista Festival (John the Baptist) at Wiggins Park in Camden N.J.. This festival takes place in Camden every year. Mega radio station heads up this festival with live music and fun. The Parade is the grand event that the entire community awaits. On this afternoon, always the last Sunday in June, an extravaganza filled with Puerto Rician culture, music, marching bands, decorated floats, dancing groups from around the community come together for celebration. This is the event most Southern Americans indulge in.

Look out China, here comes the 2008 Men’s Olympic Team. The Boys and Girls Club’s of Reading and Camden got a chance to see the players who will be playing in the 2008 games. Roc a Fella Plaza was turn into a B-ball court for a couple of hours so that the kids would get a chance to see the athletes. The legendary Dj Clark Clint was on hand to play the theme for the team. Some of the players who were on hand to meet and greet were, Colby Bryant, D.Wade, Lebron James, Dwight Howard and Jason Kidd. After seeing the players, the kids got a chance to go to the Olympic Museum up in Harlem NY. This is where they had all the jerseys and pictures from the past Olympic teams. Don’t forget to watch them on TV.

When it comes to street ball the Chosen League is all about game. Both teams brought their A-game. It came down to a sudden death at over time. This was the first game of the season and the players balled as if it was their last. Da Truff was the DJ on hand to liven it up with, the hot sounds of hip hop and R&B filled the court. The hood came out to see the two teams get it in. I look forward to the next games.

FREE BBQ come and get it, that’s what was heard through out Bethlehem. Pembroke appreciated the cook out that Sneaker Villa came out to do. We had hundreds of people come out to join in the biggest cook out that Bethlehem has seen. DJ Butterball Ed came out and gave the BBQ some Flavor with a real live block party feel.
The people got a chance to meet and greet the staff of the store in Bethlehem. The cook out was a great look and chance to say thank you for shopping at Sneaker Villa.

highslide thumbnail=”http://www.ruvilla.com/main/wp-content/uploads/clean-up-2-150×150.jpg” image=”http://www.ruvilla.com/main/wp-content/uploads/clean-up-2.jpg”>

When it comes to cleaning up the community, Sneaker Villa is there to help out. Friday morning was the time for everyone to come together and help out at theAthletic Rec Center on 26th and Master. From young to old, people came out to lend a hand in cleaning up the Rec Center. Sneaker Villa staff was on hand to join in with the clean up. So remember Love Where You Live and clean up. Be on the look out for the next clean up event.

This event bought the neighborhood out. For thoughs that don’t know what K&A Day is, it’s a day dedicated to our Kensington & Allegheny store. This day gave the locals the opportunity to win free gifts. The only action that was required was that they had to sign up for our V.I.P. list. This list is just a paper asking for your basic contact information. This information will be used to keep our customers informed on whats going on at their local Sneaker Villa.

This free BBQ was off the hook. The neighborhood really enjoyed themselves. The feedback that the locals gave us were positive. So I’m guessing since this event was such a success, we will continue doing events like these for more years to come. We also have more free BBQs coming to a neighborhood near you soon.

This pass Wed. was the free BBQ event at our 52nd in market location. The “Look Out For The Cook Out” event was our way of showing love to the neighborhood. This is just one of our ways of giving back to the community. Stay posted for more events like these.

Raheem Brock 2nd Annual Celebrity Bowling Party was off the hook. This event was put together to raise money for local children organizations. The entire Colts football squad came out to support this event. Andre Iguodala from the Philadelphia Sixers also came to show some love. This event was an complete success.

What a way to end the school year with a students vs. staff basketball game. This was a close game. The staff won by two. The score was 56-58. What a way to blow off some steam. I guess better luck next time for the students.

The game was off the hook. All the teams really bought their A-game. With competitive spirits all around, I have to say that all the teams showed great sportsmanship. This is what sneaker Villa encourages. Great attitudes at an competitive sport.

Sneaker Villa and Teddy Bowens (Wilmington Sneaker Villa manager) were honored at the 2008 Arts & Business Council Awards in Philadelphia on May 9th. The Arts and Business Council of Philadelphia honored Sneaker Villa for the good work Teddy performed last year with Art Reach. Teddy collaborated with Art Reach on a unique community-based, socially-conscious arts project in North Philadelphia . The project brought together a group of students from William Penn High School and gave them an opportunity to create a positive response to the growing violence in Philadelphia . Over the course of 12 weeks, the students learned how to create original designs with an anti-violence theme and silk-screened them onto t-shirts. One of the finished t-shirt designs was mass-produced and sold at the Broad and Thompson Sneaker Villa location, with the proceeds benefiting the William Penn high school. The Awards ceremony was held at Grand Ballroom, Pennsylvania Convention Center .

Saturday morning in Wilmington, Delaware was a perfect day for a bike race. Market St. was blocked off for the annual Wilmington Grand Prix Bike Race. People lined the streets and watched as the bicyclists raced down Market St. The crowds range from little kids to the older folks and everyone in between. Teddy B and his staff took full advantage of the many people out in the early morning. The side walk sale was a big hit and got a lot of people to come inside the store. The street team gave out Sneaker Villa lanyards, wrist bands, and other give-a-ways. Also, while out on the street, many people signed up to the VIP list. Overall the day was a great look for Delaware.

Coming down to the wire, #9 Neumann-Goretti Saints (1-2) were able to reach the field and just about get the game started on time with a small delay as they were waiting for one of their star players, Kadeem Custis (6’5” – 265lb defensive lineman), who was double booked on Saturday with the PFL games and his official visit to Temple University to add them to the mix of a dozen Division I-A schools courting his decision to choose their institution to continue his education and jump start his football career before going to the National Football League. But by the time the Saints got started and warmed-up, the #6 Overbrook Panthers (1-2) could only do the best they could on an even playing field by keeping the Saints receivers from catching too many good passes. But finally in the end, the Saints defeated the Panthers 14 – 6 in a tough game that was decided this week by the skilled players and the strategy of both of the best football coaches in the Philadelphia-area.

#2 Team Modell’s (3-0) made up of the George Washington players came to the game on time, organized, and ready to do battle in the trenches with “Goliath” one of the biggest players in the PFL, Soquan Scarborough at 6’6” @ 330lbs, from #7 William Penn Lions (1-2) who took on the “David’s” with their assistant coach NAME. The theme fit the bill as much as the battle was fought up front, the skilled guys had enough to contend with in getting open, find windows for the QB to throw through, and getting the ball off before the PFL standard 4-second count while ht rush was coming on after the 3-second Modell’s count. It was an awesome spectacle to watch Team Modell’s receivers find the first down markers and end zone in defeated the Lions 20 -14. Coach Cohen is keeping up his winning tradition from the gridiron of the high school regular season and winning the District 12 championship to starting the PFL season with a 3 game winning streak.

In the best performance of the year so far, #3 University City Jaguars (2-1) captivated the fans and crowd with a dazzling display of athletic skill by U-City quarterback Michael Adens against the #11 Team O’Vecka made up of Imhotep Charter High School. The open receivers on Team O’Vecka were frustrated all day as Adens followed his reads, played his coverage, and used his closing speed to intercept 2 passes that could have brought Ovecka closer. But of course, nothing could help Ovecka get closer as long as Adens kept adding to his accomplishments of throwing 4 touchdowns, deflecting passes and leading his team by being named player of the week for week 3 and also a victory defeating Ovecka 25 – 12 in a battle of skill, strategy, and determination. Team Ovecka also fell to the #4 Philadelphia Hilltoppers 13 – 8 in their final battle of the day, keeping the Hilltoppers undefeated.

This year’s Temple Step Show was off the hook. “Stomp The Yard” had nothing on this event. The women Delta’s took no mess and cleared house this night. They made sure their voices and step moves were heard not just through your ears, but also in your soul. The energy of this event was unbelievable. I now see how serious these students are about their fraternities and sororities. If you weren’t able to make it to this year’s event, you must make it next year.

This community event was off the hook. Fraternities and sororities showed their colors and step moves for all to see. They really held it down. This event was like no other. The party of all parties. I’m telling you, if you were not there , than you really missed out. Sneaker Villa really held it down. Shout out to Melanie for the extra help. We got love for you.

Simon Gratz High was astound to have Sneaker Villa’s Take A Chance Campaign. Students as well as teachers were very interested in what Poetry In Motion had to say about keeping a positive out look on life. Gratz student reaction to the campaigns were awesome, some wanted to get more involved with this movement.

This event was awsome. York really enjoyed our “Take A Chance” campaign.

The CAPA students from KENSINGTON HIGH SCHOOL are really down to earth. Poetry In Motion really showed its stuff. Students embraced this movement to another level that day. Poetry In Motion was able to reach the students via their delivery of a positive message using slick rhymes, powerful words, and a smooth, passionate flow. The Assistant Principal asked Sneaker Villa and Poetry In Motion to come back again, because she was delighted by the student’s overwhelmingly positive reaction to the Take a Chance High School Tour. The students learned about significant figures in African American history and hopefully left excited about the prospects of “taking a chance” and charting a bright future.

What a way to end the year! The Sneaker Villa 1st Annual Holiday Classic was an event that you could not miss. The turn out was so crazy that there were crowds inside and outside of Ben Franklin High School and there were so many people wishing they had arrived early to get a seat, let alone get in the building.THE TICKETS WERE SOLD OUT. As far as the games go: North Catholic beat Strawberry Mansion, Prep Charter managed to come on top over Neumann Goretti with last second 3-point shot, and Apex Blue had no answers for Tyreke Evans and American Christian.

Performance wise, the girls were definitely in the building for B5. They came early and stood throughout the day, waiting for their performance. They were screaming every time they heard their name and especially during the performance. In addition to B5, Reed Dollaz came through to show some love and performed a couple of his hot tracks. The holiday classic was a definite success and we can’t wait for next year.

Click here for more information

This event was spectacular. We collaborated with Hot 92 and Touch 1400 AM. Supporter’s donated so many coats that we ran out of bags. Beanie Sigel and Freeway even stopped by to show some love and support. I’m telling you, Villa is where it’s at.

This coat drive was so amazing. The neighborhood came and supported to the fullest. 100.3 the beat with Coby, Layia, and Izzo held us down for this event. Crazy isn’t a word that could describe this atmosphere, more like spectacular. People brought bags after bags full of coats. We had to make a couple of trips just to transport them all. This event was a true success.

On November 9, 2007 hall of fame basketball legend Charles Barkley was at Sneaker Villa’s 52nd street store. He was being interviewed about his Retro sneaker campaign as well as his life in the NBA. “Sir” Charles recent sneaker campaign consist of the Charles Barkley High School and college collection that were released at the beginning and the end of October as well as the 76ers/ Olympic collection that is currently out in Sneaker Villa stores now. To conclude his collection there are his Phoenix Suns collection due to hit stores soon. This interview/ press conference was sponsored by Sneaker Villa and hosted by famous sneaker collector Bobbito. This was a closed event and only six high school basketball teams attended (St. Joseph’s Prep, Neumann Goretti, Prep Charter School, Ridley High School, North Catholic and Strawberry Mansion High School). During this conference student got a chance to ask “Sir Charles” some question about his life and the struggles that he had to get through getting to the NBA and then he stuck around to sign some autographs. Check out some of the pics of the conference.

This was truly an event of a life time. Kids all the way from DC. came to support the movement. La Salle University did it real big with the help of the the Sneaker Villa Staff. We really made this event a complete success.

The “Put It Down” campaign was a event that went down in the books, as one of the most influencial events yet. I was surprised to see how our urban community stood together against the gun violence taking place here in Philadelphia. Even rapper Mos Def spoke and performed on the subject. Put It Down!!!!! Need I say more?

What can I say? These Back to school pep rallies almost made me want to go back to school. Pure fun and joy is all it takes with a little Villa movement action to hold it down. As you can see in the pics above, even the adults had to live in the past for just a few moment. Drill teams and dace contest just enhanced the moment. Yes, we can all agree that Sneaker Villa knows how to start the school year.

Well, we just finished cleaning up another recreation center this Summer. We invaded and thoroughly cleaned South West Philly’s Frances Myers Park. We do not (and will not) stop!!! It was a great event. Of course Sneaker Villa was supported by its usual friends…100.3 The Beat and the Philadelphia Recreation Department. The Sneaker Villa Dream Street DJ Squad’s DJ Spontane was playing the old school hits the entire morning– just what the crowd needed to keep up the energy. The crowd received an unbelievable surpise during the clean-up…Charlie Mack brought the Hollywood stars to help. Queen Latifah, Mo’nique, Tisha Campbell, Tichina Arnold, Chico Benymon, Affion Crockett, and Ms. Pennsylvania were in the spot.

We still have more Recreation center clean-up events throughout the Summer. Make sure you take part in at least one of our events. I promise you will not be disappointed.

On Saturday, June 2, 2007 the Kensington and Allegheny Business Association (KABA) staged its 7th Annual K&A Market Fest. Thousands of area families were in attendance. The theme was “Art in the Heart of Kensington.” The Philadelphia’s Mural Arts Program kicked off the event with a community mural painting of artist Ann Northrup’s new gateway masterpiece in front of the Walgreens at 1809 East Allegheny Avenue in Kensington. As you can see the whole neighborhood turned out, and Sneaker Villa’s Kensington store had to join the party– if there is a party in the neighborhood, Sneaker Villa has to join in the fun…nothing like partying with our friends.

FIRST PLACE WINNER:

Name: Robfrey
Age: 18
Grade: 11
Name of Design: “Peace”

What inspired you to create this design?
What inspired me to create this design was I lost two of my best friends to gun violence and I don’t want to lose any more.

What are you trying to say?
What I am trying to say is just stop the violence.

What message would you like people to take from it?
The message I want people to take from this is it could be you one day.

How has violence personally affected you?
Violence personally affected me when it hit close to home and took my friends.

T-shirt Silk-screening Workshop
Sneaker Villa partnered with the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Art-Reach, William Penn High School, Philadelphia Academies, and the North Central Empowerment Zone Neighborhood Funding Stream on an Anti-Violence T-Shirt Campaign. The Anti-Violence T-shirt Campaign engaged students in the Philadelphia Health Academy and the Business Technology Academy at William Penn High School in a hands-on silk-screen workshop program facilitated by Christina Roberts, master printer at the Fabric Workshop. The workshop involved 40 students who met after-school on Thursdays for 10 weeks.

In the silk-screen workshop, participants created slogans and images that presented a positive response to violence, encouraged pro-active ways to prevent violence, and promoted community solidarity against violence. Each participant produced an 11” by 11” piece of fabric silk-screened with the images and slogans they created.

T-shirt Design Contest
A panel of high school students, representatives from art organizations, community leaders, anti-violence experts, fashion merchandising experts, and law-enforcement representatives evaluated the creativity, persuasiveness, and marketability of the designs. The panel selected the winning T-shirt design, which was mass produced and retailed at Sneaker Villa’s Broad Street store as a fashion statement that counters the “Stop Snitching” movement. The designer of the winning design signed a merchandise license agreement and received a $500 stipend.

Launch of the Winning T-shirt
On May 24, 2007, William Penn H.S. student Robfrey Thompson was announced the winner of the t-shirt design contest during a celebration hosted by Sneaker Villa’s Broad Street store. The event also doubled as an opening for an exhibition of all the framed and matted t-shirt designs created in the workshop. All proceeds from t-shirt sales will benefit Philadelphia Academies’ program at William Penn High School.

Read an article on the event here

Reading Eagle
By Dan Kelly

If the canvas is used without permission, it’s vandalism, officials say. Some of the taggers have used their talent to become legitimate artists.
By Dan Kelly
Reading Eagle

Berks County, PA - Graffiti is a destructive plague scarring many urban landscapes.

But it can also be a pathway for young vandals to constructive careers in commercial art and design.

Criminal justice officials and even former graffiti vandals — or taggers, as they call themselves — say graffiti doesn’t occupy a middle ground between crime and art.

It can only be one or the other and the establishment considers it crime.

“If you don’t have permission to use the canvas, it’s vandalism,” said Timothy J. Daly, criminal justice program director for the Berks County Court Administration.

Daly is developing a plan to combat graffiti in Reading and nearby areas at the request of the county Criminal Justice Policy Group.

“It’s been a city problem but it is migrating out,” Daly said.

The problem has been worse this year than it has been in a long time, Daly said.

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A warm early winter may be to blame since spray cans and paint chemicals usually don’t work well in colder temperatures.

When graffiti blankets an area, taggers claim the area has been bombed. If that’s the case, some areas of Reading have been carpet-bombed with graffiti this year, officials said.

Most taggers know what they are doing is wrong. But that’s part of the thrill, they say.

“Graffiti, or tagging as we call it, is vandalism, plain and simple,” said Edcel Cruz, a Reading-based freelance commercial air-brush artist and former tagger.

Taggers usually do what is called a throw-up, Cruz said.

“It’s usually some letters, maybe initials, usually in one or two colors,” he said. “It’s something they can throw up quickly and takes very little talent.”

The latest fad in Reading is to paint their graffiti on a sticker and then put the stickers on stop signs, store windows, cars, and so on.

“It’s easy to do and they are less likely to get caught,” Cruz said.

Cruz, 32, said he worked for eight years as a resident artist at Air Graphics in Fairgrounds Square Mall before going on his own and taking on projects like the wall murals in Sneaker Villa, 547 Penn St.

Andrew Lutz, store manager, said he knows the kind of damage graffiti can do in a city neighborhood or business district.

“When you’re young you might think it’s nice to look at, or exciting to do and not get caught,” Lutz said. “But when you get older and own property, you realize how destructive it is.

“It’s a nuisance. It can really make a community look trashy.”

Lutz’s family owns an open courtyard behind Sneaker Villa and they encourage taggers and artists alike to use the brick walls there as a canvas.

“But I tell them if I find their stuff on someone’s property I’m going to make them clean it up,” Lutz said. “That’s already happened once.”

Taggers are usually boys or young men.

However, adults usually end up cleaning up their work, officials said.

Whether a city parks or public works crew, a volunteer cleanup, or a court-ordered community service project, usually adults do the work.

Stephen A. Lamp, the county assistant chief adult probation officer, said he has a crew of about a dozen people ordered to perform community service scheduled to help with a cleanup in Reading on Saturday.

Lamp said the weekend project will center on the former outlet buildings at Ninth and Douglass streets.

Lamp said that while graffiti is often the subject of community service cleanups, few adults are ever convicted of graffiti-related crimes.

“We don’t see a lot of cases,” Lamp said. “What we do is help out. If they’ve got a project, we can provide some manpower.”

Lamp said there are two basic ways to clean up graffiti: paint over it, or erase it with chemicals and a power washing.

In extreme cases, sandblasting is needed.

Daly, who is coordinating the weekend cleanup with city officials, said it is difficult to put a price tag on the physical cost of graffiti.

“It really depends on the location and the surface,” he said. “If you have a smooth surface and can wash it off or paint over it, it’s not going to cost as much as removing it from a porous surface where you have to use chemicals or sand blasting.”

There also are intangible costs, he said.

The presence of graffiti in a community implies a gang culture exists.

It sends a message that the community leaders aren’t really in charge and brings down values of the property and discourages new community development, he said.

Lutz said when a tagger hit his house, a city crew came out and cleaned off he graffiti.

“That was pretty nice that they cleaned it, but ever since it happened I’ve had a different view of tagging,” he said. “That’s why I want them to do it here in the courtyard and not in the city on other people’s property.”

Luis Segui, 19, of Reading said he started tagging when he was in middle school in New York City.

“When I started to tag I was a ‘toy’, which means I was no good,” Segui said.

As time passed, Segui said his skills improved. He believes there is a difference between art and being a tagger.

Though he still uses spray cans and not an air brush, Segui insists the murals and panels he creates when hired are art and not vandalism.

“I’m an urban artist, not a graffiti artist,” Segui said.

Graffiti translated

To understand graffiti it helps to know some of the lingo and the words’ meanings. Here are a few:

Tagger: A graffiti writer.

Tag: A writer’s pen name.

Toy: A young tagger with no talent.

Throw-up: A tag on a window or building.

Piece: Short for masterpiece.

Bomb: Blanketing an area with one writers work.

Piece book: A writer’s scrap book.

Sticker: A tagger sprays his tag on stolen commercial stickers, such as postal labels, then affixes them to stop signs, windows, etc. It is seen as a quick way of bombing an area without getting caught.

The LEAP After-School Program provides homework assistance, computer literacy, library skills, and multicultural enrichment activities for school-age students in grades 1-12. LEAP is in operation after school on weekdays from September through June at all Free Library locations. It’s an open drop-in program, so no registration is necessary. LEAP is funded by the City of Philadelphia.

Incentives such as school dances, free sneakers and clothes, Sneaker Villa discount cards, movie tickets, speaking panels, and concert tickets were provided to encourage students to attend school on a daily basis.

The launch of the event was crazy…Sneaker Villa Dream Street DJ Squad’s DJ Da Truuf was the DJ and hype man for the day. Sneaker Villa recognized 90% club students with gift certificates. The City Year crew planned the event and offered the students words of encouragement. However, the hit of the day was the rapping teachers (see the video below)…just classic.

City Year and Sneaker Villa are working together to raise attendance levels in high schools. They have worked closely with the Philadelphia School District.

In 2004 the average daily attendance rates at Overbrook High School were 74%, meaning on any given day almost 500 students of the 1,885 student body were absent from school.

The pilot program successfully increased attendance at Overbrook by 10%.

Check out the video below:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32edkfhGMhs[/youtube]

Donations were accepted at all Sneaker Villa Philadelphia locations as well as Sneaker Villa’s Norristown and Reading locations, from Friday, December 15th through Sunday, December 17th, during normal business hours. On Saturday, December 16th, Power 99’s Shamara appeared at Sneaker Villa’s Norristown location and Q-Deezy appeared at Sneaker Villa’s Germantown location. Both personalities battled to see who could collect the most toys.

The public was asked to bring in a new, unwrapped toy and in turn received $30 in Sneaker Villa Holla-Day Cash. The toys were donated to local charities.

Sneaker Villa, the premier urban fashion retailer in Philadelphia, and 100.3 The Beat are joined forces for their 2nd Annual Coat Drive. Last year’s event proved to be an overwhelming success as over 7,000 coats were collected and donated to the Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia.

This year’s event was held on Tuesday, December 5th, 2006, 6:00am to 7:00pm at Sneaker Villa, 1231 North Broad St. (Broad and Thompson), Philadelphia. Over 10,000 coats were collected, breaking last year’s mark. Radio personalities from 100.3 The Beat (Pooch, Laiya, Colby Colb, D.J. Mil Matic, DJ Touch Tone and DJ JDS participated in the all-day live broadcast. Also guest appearances by Philadelphia Eagles’ Correll Buckhalter and comedians Kevin Hart and Buckwild were in the building. A special shot-out to UPS for donating one of their big fleet trucks. We would not have been able to deliver to the coats to the Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia without their support.
Sneaker Villa hooked up the public with $50 in Sneaker Villa Holla-Day Cash for every coat donated. 100.3 The Beat gave away a pair of tickets to any one that donated 20 coats.

Check out some of the pictures below: